Thursday, May 6, 2010

Far World is . . . BAAAACK!

Talk about a nail-biting year for my kids. Two years ago they fell in love with Far World: Water Keep. Then, last year, they eagerly waited for the release of Far World: Land Keep, which they loved just as much, and I loved even more, than the first book in the series. In fact, below, I'm copying a post about my 11 year old daughter's reaction. It's so fresh and just so "her" that I still laugh when I read it. Even though she is now 13, and looks 17, she has the same personality, and definitely the same enthusiasm for FarWorld.

My 11-year old daughter, the lone Ute fan in a house full of Cougars (yeah, that is JUST her personality). . .

I don't write about my family often on this blog, but this time I think it relates pretty well to the writing/reading world. Plus, the experience I had with my 11-year old daughter last night was a one in a million in my household. Let me preface this by saying, my daughter is a sports fanatic.

She plays soccer, softball, basketball, and volleyball--and she can't get enough of it. Last Friday, she told me she threw up at practice. I said, "Are you sick? Do you still feel like you're going to throw up?" She said, "If I tell you, can I still play in tomorrow's game?"

I loved sports too at her age, and imagined myself as the starting quarterback for the Broncos. But I also loved to read. And I read everything. My daughter won't read unless forced. She's what is termed the "reluctant reader."

So I was hoping that she'd like Far World. Same genre and target group. Plus I loved the book.

Well, last night she called me on my cell phone (when I had told her only call if you HAVE to, since I was at book group). I answered, thinking she was upset over homework or something. But not so. The conversation follows:

"Mom, who's the author that wrote Far World?"

"J. Scott Savage."

"Don't you know him?"

"Yeah, he's in my critique group."

"You have to call him right now." (Note--she is not shy about her demands)

"Why?"

"Because you have to tell him to hurry and write the sequel."

"Why?"

"Because it's the best book I've ever read. It's sooo flippin good!"

"Okay, I can probably send him a text, but I think he's out of town."

"Do it right now."

"I can't, I'm at book group."

"And you have to tell him that I want to be the FIRST to read the sequel."

"Because it was all about how Edward was so good looking, over and over. Like how he was so strong and like what his biceps looked like."

"So you liked Far World better?"

"It's the best book I ever read. Call him now."

"Uh, I'll talk to you when I get home."

"Okay. Hurry!"

Disclaimer: before you think I usually hand over romances like Twilight to my 11-year old, I was happy that she even ASKED to read it. All the while doubting she'd get very far. Even a major teenage bestseller would, I knew, be a hard sell on my reluctant reader (who refuses to read past Harry Potter 1 by the way).